Mary Lou Gourde, age 76 of Oakwood, ND passed away Saturday, May 22, 2021 at the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton. Mary Lou was born May 24, 1944 in Grafton, ND, the daughter of the late James and Mary Houska. She grew up in Veseleyville, ND and graduated from St. Aloysius Academy in Oakwood, ND. She married Edward Gourde on April 22, 1963 at St John’s Catholic Church in Grafton. Edward and Mary Lou moved to the Gourde family farm near Oakwood, ND where they raised their family and farmed for several years. They had three children: Mark, Darrin, and Kim. Mary Lou enjoyed planting beautiful flower gardens and raising American Eskimo dogs while living on the farm.
Mary Lou was a long-term member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oakwood, ND. In addition to working on the farm, Mary Lou was an employee at Grafton Floral and later, at Lutheran Sunset Home. After 31 years of marriage, Edward passed away on October 3, 1994. Mary Lou continued to live on the Gourde farm until 2019, where she then moved to Lutheran Sunset Home.
Mary Lou was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She adored children. She loved sewing skating dresses and blankets for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She attended many skating shows and other events where she could be seen watching intently and cheering from the bleachers. Mary Lou also treasured her many friends and enjoyed spending time with them. She also appreciated the care from Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton and was known to always have treats and her candy dish full for the employees.
Mary Lou is survived by her children, Mark (Bernice) Gourde, Grafton, ND; Darrin (Yvette) Gourde, Greenville, SC; and Kim (Kevin) Heazlett, Fargo, ND; 9 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; in-laws: Lillian Houska, Grafton, ND; Ron and Sharon Gourde, Fargo, ND; Raymond and Marcy Gourde, Grafton, ND; Gary and Judy Smith, Escondido, CA; Gene Gourde, AZ; Mary Lynn and Craig Kinsella, Bemidji, MN; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, James Houska, sister, Margaret (Houska) Novak, brother-in-law, Bernard Novak, and brother-in-law, Joseph Gourde.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 10:30 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oakwood, ND. Visitation will be on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Oakwood, ND.
Mary Lou was a long-term member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oakwood, ND. In addition to working on the farm, Mary Lou was an employee at Grafton Floral and later, at Lutheran Sunset Home. After 31 years of marriage, Edward passed away on October 3, 1994. Mary Lou continued to live on the Gourde farm until 2019, where she then moved to Lutheran Sunset Home.
Mary Lou was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She adored children. She loved sewing skating dresses and blankets for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She attended many skating shows and other events where she could be seen watching intently and cheering from the bleachers. Mary Lou also treasured her many friends and enjoyed spending time with them. She also appreciated the care from Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton and was known to always have treats and her candy dish full for the employees.
Mary Lou is survived by her children, Mark (Bernice) Gourde, Grafton, ND; Darrin (Yvette) Gourde, Greenville, SC; and Kim (Kevin) Heazlett, Fargo, ND; 9 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; in-laws: Lillian Houska, Grafton, ND; Ron and Sharon Gourde, Fargo, ND; Raymond and Marcy Gourde, Grafton, ND; Gary and Judy Smith, Escondido, CA; Gene Gourde, AZ; Mary Lynn and Craig Kinsella, Bemidji, MN; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, James Houska, sister, Margaret (Houska) Novak, brother-in-law, Bernard Novak, and brother-in-law, Joseph Gourde.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 10:30 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oakwood, ND. Visitation will be on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Oakwood, ND.